Our Board

Lisa Lake – President

Lisa has worked at Thompson Rivers University in the area of student service and support for 18 years; the last 8 in her current position as Coordinator of Student Services and Engagement for the School of Business and Economics. Her volunteer experience grew out of supporting her children’s activities, primarily with Parent Advisory Council, Girl Guides, and Kamloops Youth Soccer but then moved on to volunteer for United Way (Community Impact Council) and TRU Foundation. Lisa has been an active member of Kamloops Daybreak Rotary for the past five years and currently serves on the Board of Directors as well. Lisa also serves on the Board of Developing World Connections (Secretary) and has enjoyed travelling to Sri Lanka and Guatemala with DWC.

Why the Food Bank?

In all my volunteer activities, I find the best fit for me is when I work with a group that envisions hope, respect, sustainability, and community building in a nonjudgmental environment. My volunteer days at Rotary Food Drives over the past few years convinced me that Kamloops Food Bank possessed all of those attributes and I am humbled to be part of this board.

Connie Hum – Vice President

Connie has been in the financial industry for over 30 years and currently manages Interior Savings Credit Union, Landsdowne Branch. She has served on the Kamloops Food Bank Board since 2013. Connie has also done a variety of volunteer work in Kamloops and beyond, from Days of Caring to School PAC and many others in between.

Why the Food Bank?

My first visit to the Food Bank was to present a cheque from Interior Savings. I loved Bernadette’s enthusiasm and it was clear the staff and volunteers were a family unit. This led to my volunteering at the Rotary Food Drive and eventually joining the board. It has been a perfect fit.

Charla Johnstone – Secretary

Charla Johnstone has been in the financial services industry for 17 years. Currently, she is a Branch Manager at the Brocklehurst location of Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union. Charla enjoys being involved in the community and has spent time volunteering for several organizations in the past, including Junior Achievement, Success by 6, United Way and Rotary International.

Why the Food Bank?

I wanted to focus my volunteering time and efforts to one organization where I could make a real difference and being part of the board of the Kamloops Food Bank is the best way to do that. I have volunteered with the Kamloops Food Bank through my employment with Valley First and involvement with Rotary and know how important the food bank is to this community. My employer, Valley First, is passionate about supporting the food banks in the communities we serve through our signature cause, Feed the Valley. The “Feed the Valley” initiative is a year round program with all fundraising efforts and donations from staff and members going to food banks across the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valleys.

Tina Peters – Treasurer

Tina is a Chartered Professional Accountant and owner of the accounting firm
Peters & Company which is located in downtown Kamloops. She has been a designated accountant since 1996 and has over 15 years of experience on the executive leadership team of a large not-for-profit Association in Vancouver. In addition, she has extensive experience as an external auditor for many Kamloops societies and associations. Tina has served on the Food Bank Board as Treasurer since 2019. She has volunteered for several organizations and is a member of the Can-Ital Ladies Society, Kamloops West Rotary Club and is a trustee on the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia’s Benevolent Fund.

Why the Food Bank?

The Food Bank values clearly align with my values. Having good healthy food is core to our well-being and a basic human right.

The Food Bank is a strong, effective and impactful organization in Kamloops and surrounding communities. From the first time I had the opportunity to meet Bernadette and her team, I was extremely impressed by their leadership and dedication. One of my favourite things to do is volunteer on the floor and witness how the entire team and volunteers work together as a well-oiled machine and create a positive experience for our clients.

I am honoured to be asked to volunteer and look forward to working with this strong board to strategically support Bernadette, her team, volunteers and our clients.

Chris De Haan – Director

Chris has been working in the land surveying industry for 30 years and is a partner with Underhill Geomatics Ltd., managing the Kamloops office. He has been part of the Kamloops Aurora Centennial Rotary Club for the past 8 years serving as president during the 2016-2017 year.

Why the Food Bank?

In a perfect world, there would not be a need for places like the food bank. But this is not a perfect world. There is always going to be people in need. Food is a necessity of life. Kids going to school hungry do not learn well if they are always thinking about being hungry. I am in a position in life where thankfully I don’t need the services provided by the food bank but instead understand the need is there and want to help my community in ensuring that the basics for survival are met.

Connor Shelton – Director

Connor Shelton can be found enjoying his time snowboarding, surfing, boating, and dirtbiking. A passion for adventure, food lover, and family man. Connor Shelton at REMAX Kamloops and has been very successful in the industry for over 7 years now. He is an active member of the rotary club of Kamloops daybreak and past president of the Young Professionals of Kamloops Rotaract for 5 years. He has a passion for coaching the Sa-hali secondary boys Rugby team, and the Kamloops rugby club junior boys teams and enjoys teaching kids of all ages business skills, through the Junior Achievement Program. Connor Is honest, goal motivated, punctual and energetic.

Why the Food Bank?
I believe that no child so have to wonder where there dinner is going to come from, the food bank provides so many necessary services to tons of agencies around town!

Frank Quinn – Director

Frank has helped guide and govern several provincial, regional and local business, community, health and educational organizations. Together with his wife Cathy, he is a father to three, a grandfather to five and a trusted and devoted friend to many. He is uncompromising in his commitments to others but equally devoted to the intense pursuit of his interests – which include heli-skiing, mountain climbing and mountain biking.

Why the Food Bank?

Jane Hewes – Director

Jane came to Kamloops from Edmonton in 2016 to take up the position of Associate Dean in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at Thompson Rivers University. She brings 20 years’ experience as a teacher and a researcher in early childhood care and education at MacEwan University in Edmonton. Before becoming an academic, Jane worked in community health promotion, where she was involved in developing local responses to food security issues, including collective kitchens, community gardens and school lunch programs. She has enjoyed serving on boards and steering groups of organizations serving children and families, including the Intercultural Child and Family Centre, the Success by Six Council of Partners, and the Community-University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth and Families (CUP) in Edmonton.

Why the Food Bank

I’m inspired by the success of the FoodShare program, and by the engagement of volunteers in the operation of the Kamloops Food Bank. By joining the Board, I’m hoping to get to know the community better and to be involved in an organization that is making a difference.

Jennifer McKinney – Director

Jennifer is the owner of Fresh Inc., a full-service marketing, advertising and brand agency in Kamloops that has been in operation since 2004. Her drive and passion towards giving back to her community began over 15 years ago when she first began volunteering with Rotary. Jennifer believes that a strong community is built by members of all walks of life coming together and working as a team to accomplish goals. Today, Jennifer sits on a number of local boards in a volunteer role such as; The Kamloops Art Gallery, Rotary, Venture Kamloops VK Advisors and Developing World Connections, where she traveled to Africa to hike Mount Kilimanjaro as part of a fundraising initiative in 2016. Jennifer was honoured with the Val Anderson Humanitarian Award from the Premier of the province for her dedicated work on the 2003 Wildfires.

Why the Food Bank?

After a recent visit and tour of the Food Bank, Jennifer’s decision to jump on-board and support this organization was instantaneous. Viewing the immediate impact the organization, its kind-hearted volunteers and dedicated employees have in helping members of our local community in need was prevalent and Jennifer wanted to be a part of it.

Dr. Michael Hansford – Director

Michael has been a resident of Kamloops since 1998 when he graduated from UBC and moved from Vancouver to start a dental practice. He is a member of several professional associations in general, cosmetic and implant dentistry and provides mentorship to other dentists at an advance dental education centre in Seattle, WA. Apart from his professional interests, Mike enjoys skiing, cooking and travelling with his family and riding and tinkering with his old Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Why the Food Bank?

Mike had the opportunity to tour the food bank recently and was awed by the facility, its organization and the volunteers’ energy and commitment to the food bank’s mission. It was hard not to get involved when witnessing the important work being done to fight hunger in our community by such an inspiring group of people.

Sharon Stevens – Director

Sharon is the owner of Communication Solutions, a communication and marketing strategy business that has celebrated more than 2 decades of success in Kamloops. She has lived and worked in Toronto and Halifax and is pleased to call Kamloops home. She is a former Rotarian who has also volunteered with numerous community, sport and health oriented non-profits over many years.

Why the Food Bank?

As a mom I know that one of the greatest sources of comfort and security in a home is having the food needed to nourish bodies and minds. I am very grateful for what I have received. So serving on the Food Bank board aligns with my values and lets me give back. I also know the board is a very committed group and the organization itself is well run with great staff and volunteers. I look forward to finding as many ways to help as possible.

Clients are able to access Perishable hampers once per week and Non-Perishable hampers once per month

All Hampers are now pre-packed to

expedite the intake process

serve the largest number of clients

limit social contact

ensure food is shared equally

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the COVID-19 crisis. We are in this together.

Regarding Donations:

At this time both monetary and shelf stable food donations are needed.

We are gratefully receiving food donations at 171 Wilson Street. Please come to the red receiving bay door Monday-Friday, 8am – 2pm
If you are unable to drop off during those times, donation bins are located at the front of grocery stores for non-perishable items and are picked-up daily by our foodSHARE drivers.

We have been very touched by the numerous offers from people looking to deliver hampers to those who may be housebound during this crisis. We are so fortunate to be part of such a kind and caring community.

As always, The Kamloops Food Bank permits individuals to collect a hamper for their friend or family member who is unable to come in. We do require the person collecting to bring the recipient’s valid ID and a note stating their permission for this service.

Our desire to create a safe environment during COVID-19 has prompted several changes at our facility. This includes limiting the amount of people in the food bank at a time and the amount of time spent inside. A visit to the food bank involves waiting in line, coming inside, providing identification, receiving the hampers and then exiting – all while maintaining proper social distancing. The hampers are quite large and heavy, and it would be difficult to carry out more than 2.

The Kamloops Food Bank is not set up to coordinate individual hamper deliveries at this time. Our top priority is to remain open and provide food to as many people as possible. We must stay hypervigilant on safely serving our community – this includes distribution. Recognizing that there are serious risks with the level of contact involved we cannot encourage the public to offer multiple home pick ups and deliveries.

Please note that there are several agencies in our community that provide this service – CMHA, Ask Wellness, Interior Health, Oncore, BC211, etc… Individuals who anticipate hamper delivery needs and additional support during this crisis should connect with an existing support worker or register with one of the organizations.